CARE SHEET

ASIAN FOREST SCORPIONS

Common Name Asian Forest Scorpion

Scientific Name Heterometrus spinifer / laoticus
General. This care sheet is written with the intent of giving basic care to the scorpions generally offered
in the trade as Asian Forest Scorpions. They are all Heterometrus species and are imported from
Vietnam, Indonesia and occasionally Thailand and Malaysia. These are large black scorpions. They have a
venom that is not considered dangerous to humans. Given ample space and food they can be kept
communally if plenty of hides are available and the scorpions are of similar size. However cannibalism
can occur. If keeping a pet a single one is better and safer.
Housing. Easy to house in a glass tank, terrarium or plastic pet home. A 10cm layer of coco humus with
a sprinkling of orchid bark on top gives it a nice forest substrate and makes it easy to keep the humidity
up. A 30x20cm land area is adequate for a single scorpion. This is a forest species and must have an
adequate water dish and plenty of hiding places. Pieces of cork bark and or a small resin cave is ideal.
They like to feel secure and I find it advantageous to include a bundle of damp moss inside the caves, so
the scorpion feels tight in the cave and to keep the humidity at the required level. For communal
housing several hides must be available for each scorpion and double the size of the tank for a group of
up to three.
Climate. 80-90% humidity is ideal. This can be achieved my using the above substrate and misting
regularly. A temperature gradient of 23-27C can be easily attained by fixing a small heat mat to one end
of the tank on the wall. Do not use a heat mat under the tank. Using a digital thermometer and
thermostat will allow accurate temperature monitoring and control. Alternatively a dark blue night time
light can be used as a heat source. They do not like bright lights.
Feeding Asian Forest Scorpions need one prey item once a week. A cricket, locust or roach will suffice.
The prey item should be no bigger than one of the scorpions claws. No additional supplementation is
needed. Fresh water should be available at all times. Several items should be given if more than one
scorpion is being kept in the enclosure to prevent fighting and feeding will need to be observed,
General An easy and ideal beginners species. It can be quite defensive so handling is not recommended.
It does make an interesting display species and can live for many years.
Nick Cousins
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